Audience: This book's audience consists of individuals and families considering filing for bankruptcy to eliminate debt and ease financial struggles. These readers often include people facing foreclosure, eviction, repossession, collection actions, and wage garnishments, and those impacted by job losses, divorce, and illness. What is new in this edition: * As the cost of food and other living expenses climbed in 2024, so did bankruptcy filings, increasing by almost 30% in California and five other states. * Bankruptcy filers without the means to hire a lawyer need low-cost bankruptcy filing options, including DIY self-help books that allow them to file themselves. * The step-by-step coverage of the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process enables individuals to avoid costly legal fees and file for bankruptcy without a costly lawyer.